Chapter Sixteen #3
Icy fury slashed through Cador as he battled the urge to smash his fist into his brother’s scarred face. His silence was a confession, and Bryok’s sneer gave way to true shock. True disgust.
“Don’t tell me you have? That you…enjoy it!” Bryok spat. “It’s bad enough you’ve allowed Tas and his plan to bring you so low by marrying that pathetic prince in the first place.” He grimaced. “It could barely even be good sport to split that prim little shit in half with your cock.”
Cador’s mind filled with sounds and images—Jem’s cries of pleasure, his hole stretched around Cador’s prick, pushing Jem’s knees to his shoulders and thrusting into that impossibly tight heat. Kissing him and never wanting to stop.
It had been far more than good sport.
Jaw clenched, he barely held himself back from launching off Massen and slamming Bryok to the mud.
“But you must be playing with me,” Bryok said. He laughed, but it was oddly nervous. Uncertain. “No way you’re actually fucking him .”
What would Bryok say if Cador told him the truth? That he was bedding Jem with joy and the only way anyone was chopping off Jem’s hand was over Cador’s mangled, rotting corpse.
Bryok hated Tas’s strategy, but only because he was out of patience and wanted to charge to the mainland and declare war no matter the consequences.
Not because he cared a thing for Jem’s wellbeing or that of all the innocents that would be lost in an impulsive war.
Cador would only alter Tas’s plan, not throw it to the mud and trample it. Too many lives were at stake.
Still, the lie was ash on his tongue. “Of course I’m not.”
Bryok clapped him on the back. “You had me worried there, brother. I should have known not to doubt you.”
All you do is doubt me.
For as long as he could remember, his brother’s praise had left Cador lighthearted, that rare approval gratifying and exhilarating, an addiction leaving him craving more no matter how many times he ordered himself to stop.
Now, there was only remorse and a terrible, hollow shame, even if the lie would keep Jem safe. If Bryok knew the plan was changing, there was no telling what he might do.
“Creeda secreted away some honey and has made her winter berry cakes,” Bryok said.
“Hedrok’s favorite. Yours too. Why don’t you come for a roast tonight?
It’s been too long.” Bryok glanced at Jem in the distance where he stood listening as Delen spoke and pointed to sea.
“Come alone. I’ll ask Jory as well. Kensa, Ruan and Gerren.
Our sister, of course. She and Creeda spend more time together than ever. And there’ll be plenty of ale.”
Shame upon shame churned his gut. It had been far too long since he’d set foot in his brother’s home.
Cador had only spent fleeting minutes with Hedrok when they’d arrived back from the mainland.
He’d told himself it was because he was stuck with Jem and had no wish to burden Bryok’s wife and children with having to be in the presence of a spoiled prince for even a minute. Such lies.
Even more untruths came. “Can’t trust him alone for long.
” Cador drew his lips into a sneer in Jem’s direction, knowing he was out of earshot.
It was best for the moment to pretend he cared nothing for Jem.
He’d barely even had time to accept that he did care.
“Why do you think I’m with him today? Useless little fuck almost burned down my cottage last night.
Never learned to spark a fire. Tried it too close to furs. ”
Bryok snorted in disgust. “Typical. Fine. Come see Hedrok another time.” It was an order—one Cador knew he should obey. He owed poor Hedrok that much.
“Soon.” It was cowardly, but he just wanted to lock himself away with Jem and shut out the world. Forget about death and kidnapping and war and not have to think about anything but making Jem smile. Kissing him and fucking him and feasting on Jem before they faced what was coming.
Confronting his brother’s disapproval—or fury—was too much when he could make his escape with his lover.
His husband. He could hardly wrap his mind around it.
Was it too much to ask to savor each other?
To have a few days of peace while they found their way?
It was so new. Cador couldn’t bear to have Bryok tarnish it.
Jem and Delen returned, and Jem kept his gaze low as Cador pulled him astride Massen and they all turned south.
When he and Jem were alone in the forest’s dark embrace, they still rode in silence, Jem sitting stiffly as though they were back on the mainland.
As though touching Cador was the last thing he wanted.
Cador could hardly blame him after he’d left Jem splayed on the ground. He bent his face to nuzzle Jem’s neck, wrapping him in his arms as he pressed little kisses to jaw and neck and cheek and the shell of his ear.
His heart skipped, relief undeniable as Jem relented, slumping back against him and turning his face for a deep kiss. Jem should have told Cador to plummet to the depths of the sea. He should have at the very least demanded the apology he was owed.
“I’m sorry,” Cador murmured against his lips.
Jem sighed into the kiss, safe in Cador’s arms as they left the world behind.